Johannisen, Webb set for early season returns

Star defender Jason Johannisen and developing midfielder Lukas Webb are set to return from their respective injuries over the next month.

In positive news for the Western Bulldogs, Johannisen (ankle) and Webb (neck) are on track to be available in the early stages of the season.

Johannisen sustained an ankle syndesmosis in match-play at training earlier this month.

“In some good news, ‘JJ’ is out of his boot and we’ve got him in a really aggressive rehab plan to get him back playing,” medical services manager Chris Bell said.

“At this stage, we see him coming back into full training availability in the first few weeks of the season.”

Webb, who suffered a serious neck injury in the VFL last season, is also tracking well and in his “final stages of rehab”.

“He’s done some great footy (training) that’s non-contact, and also done some really good conditioning running,” Bell said.

“We’re still waiting for him to tick off his final neck strength measures, which we hope will happen in the next two-to-three weeks. At this stage we’ve got him geared to come back and be available in the first few weeks of the season.”

Tom Boyd’s recovery from a back injury continues, with the Club taking a cautious approach.

However, Bell anticipates the key forward will be able to ramp up his training in the next couple of months.

“He’s making some really positive gains in his running and his strength,” Bell said of Boyd.

“We know that this injury can be volatile so we’re not rushing him, and we’re not setting any concrete timelines around his return to play. But at this stage, we’re hoping he comes back into full training in the next eight to 12 weeks.”

Bailey Dale (ankle) is expected to return to full training in the next couple of weeks, while the recovery for both Lin Jong (hamstring, 6-8 weeks) and Buku Khamis (knee, 4-6 weeks) is progressing as anticipated.